The Internazionali dItalia, the annual tennis tournament held at the Foro Italico in Rome opens on Saturday 6 May. The qualifying rounds for the mens tournament begin in earnest on 8 May, with the finals on 14 May. The Spaniard Rafael Nadal and the Argentinian Guillerme Coria, who played such a long and spectacular final last year, are both expected to take part. The womens competition begins on Saturday 13 May with the finals on Sunday 21 May, with some of the worlds top players expected to take part, Maria Sharapova, Amelie Mauresmo and Francesca Schiavone among them.

To add a touch of nostalgia there will be a Senior tour from 13 17 May with eight players competing, including John McEnroe, Goran Ivanisevic and Henry Laconte. For information and tickets see www.internazionaliditalia.it or call tel. 8006226262; Tickets cost from 10 for a weekday ticket for secondary matches to 270 for a seat to see a top match.